Gabon’s opposition leader leaves country for first time since 2018

Jean Ping, leader of the opposition in Gabon and former presidential candidate, has arrived in Paris – France – his first foreign trip since 2018 after authorities banned him from travelling and seized his passport.
“I’m planning to spend a few days here,” he wrote on his Facebook page as he arrived Monday in the French capital.
Ping, a former Chair of the African Union, had been banned in 2018 from leaving the country in the wake of the highly charged post 2016 presidential elections period. He claimed victory for the elections but the incumbent leader Ali Bongo Odimba was instead declared winner.
The post elections were marred by unrest. The ministry of Interior seized Ping’s passport until last month when he was issued a new one. Gabon is expected to hold elections in the coming months. Both Ping and Ali Bongo have not yet unveiled their plans to run.
Ping also indicated that he will meet with Gabonese in France to exchange with them whenever to run for the elections.